12 EP12: Lighting Up Africa: Richard Turner's Journey with Solar Aid

In this episode of the Storytelling for Social Impact Podcast, Ravinol delves into the significance of storytelling in amplifying social impact.

Guest, Richard Turner, Fundraising Director at Solar-Aid, shares insights from his extensive experience in renewable energy fundraising. Richard shares Solar-Aid's mission to provide sustainable energy to every household in Africa, their innovative market-catalysing strategies, and the importance of adapting narratives to different stakeholders.

The episode highlights a landmark achievement in Malawi and explores the six-step approach to effective renewable fundraising, emphasising the power of enabling others to tell your story.

• Be Inspired Films - Purpose Driven Video Agency - Helping purpose-driven organisations turn video storytelling into measurable results through their Impact™ Storytelling System.
  Build Trust. Drive Growth. Create Impact
  Strategy consultancy
  Storytelling & video training
  Cinematic multi-channel content creation
• Today, 100% of Kasakula is connected to solar | SolarAid - SolarAid has successfully provided solar lamps to every home in the Kasakula community in Malawi through its "Light a Village" program, which began on August 26, 2025. This initiative, which included 8,813 households, schools, and a health clinic, uses an Energy-as-a-Service model where families pay a small daily fee for solar systems with maintenance included. The program aims to demonstrate that universal energy access is achievable and to strengthen local capacity by training local agents for installation and maintenance.
• Sticky Marketing book by Grant Leboff - Richard mentions Grant Leboff's book as an early inspiration for the emphasis they put on enabling others to tell your story for you at Solar Aid.

00:00 Introduction

00:37 Meet Richard Turner: CEO of Solar Aid

01:13 The Mission of Solar Aid

02:40 Challenges and Solutions in Renewable Energy

03:24 The Role of Philanthropy in Solar Aid's Success

05:09 Achieving 100% Energy Access in Malawi

06:52 The Broader Impact of Solar Energy

09:08 Sustainable Business Models for Solar Energy

11:07 Innovative Approaches to Solar Energy Distribution

21:44 Celebrating Milestones and Future Goals

23:29 Sponsor Message: Be Inspired Films

27:23 The Economic Model of Solar Aid

35:35 The Importance of Solar Energy in Africa

36:36 Challenges and Barriers to Solar Projects

37:39 Sustainable Business Models for Solar Solutions

38:35 Fundraising Strategies and Insights

39:51 The Role of Individual Philanthropists

41:06 Scaling Up Solar Projects

42:32 The Power of Storytelling in Fundraising

46:42 Renewable Fundraising Approach

56:04 Understanding and Engaging Your Audience

01:06:09 Future Vision and Expansion Plans

01:09:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts